Census/Where lived/Occupations

The census of 1881 showed Robert and Alexander in the household of their grdparents James and Mary Richardson Morebattle, ROX, SCT, enumerated as RICHARDSON: James, 55 b Morebattle, gardener's lab., wife Mary 55 b Jedburgh. Son James, 17, field worker, b Morebattle. Grdsons: Robert, 8, scholar, b Morebattle; Alexander, 3, b Kelso (in 1891 likewise with ages all 10 yrs older and Robert and Alexander as ag labs.)1 Alexander Richardson appeared on the census of 1901 in the Village, Morebattle, ROX, SCT, in the household of his grandfather James Richardson as a 23 yr old roadman b Kelso.10 At the time of his marriage in Dec 1910 Alexander Richardson was a drainer of Burngrange, Par. of Falstone, NBL, ENG.5 By Jan 1915 Alexander Richardson was a farm servant Ormiston Mains, Eckford, ROX, SCT, when son Alexander born.11 By Apr 1941 he was a farm worker ?Fans, Par. of Earlston, BEW, SCT, when son Alexander married.6

Wills/bequests

Alexander Richardson was a beneficiary of the 22 Sep 1897 will of Jane Richardson Morebattle, ROX, SCT.12 Alexander Richardson are all mentioned in the Inventory of Jane Richardson on 5 Jul 1898 Sheriff Court, Jedburgh, ROX, SCT.12

All the other info

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Alexander first came to my attention as a grdson of James & Mary (Hogg) Richardson in the 1881 census, and fairly quickly thereafter I found his birth as the 2nd illegitimate son of James' dtr Isabella, who died giving birth to Alexander. Having been brought up by his grandparents after his mother died, he seems to have considered them his parents, and named them as such on his 1910 marr. cert. I believe this was probably to fudge his illegitimate status however, rather than his real belief, as only a few years before he had been the informant for his grandfather's death and clearly signed himself as grdson. Certainly the family knew about this as the record was put straight when he died, his own son Alexander as the informant for the dth showed his correct mother, no father, and corrected the license he had originally taken with his age at marriage.13 Alexander Richardson was the informant for the death of his grdfather James Richardson on 13 Aug 1903 Morebattle, ROX, SCT.14,15

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